Jannah.
What the actual hell.
This is either the cruelest prank or I really have horrible fate. I'm too embarrassed to even make eye contact with Ethan–Aaron or whatever his real name is.
What else am I going to uncover? I should have spotted the first lie when he told me he was in the Marines. Marines my ass when he drives around in a five-figure Aston Martin. The thought of the fictitious name he'd given makes me want to die of embarrassment. The thought that I'd even liked and made out with someone whose pseudonym was a movie characters name says a lot.
Shit, shit, shit.
I can hear Kaitlyn still chattering excitedly about the hot CEO and all I can do is grit my teeth and remain silent. All I feel now is resentment.
I can't take my eyes off Aaron . He looks different compared to before, with shorter hair, and he's lost most of his tan and looks leaner. The asshole even speaks with an Australian accent. Seriously? I almost roll my eyes.
He's dressed in brown slacks and a smoothly ironed long sleeved shirt that still manages to highlight his broad shoulders and smoothly shaved chest–memories of the last time we made out make my cheeks colour. Despite my hatred I can't deny he looks hotter than the last time I saw him.
You shouldn't be thinking of that, Jannah Cole!I scold myself. Kaitlyn is right, I might need to see a therapist.
" Come on, they're talking about you, Jan" Kaitlyn taps my shoulder.
" What? I mean, who?" I mutter.
" Did you get lost in wonderland? HR is introducing the HOD's to Aaron. Come on, you're up"
Right.
I let out an exasperated sigh and move to the front of the room. I have no idea how I manage to reach Ethan. I mean, Aaron, without tripping. Each step feels longer and unsettling. A whirlwind of negative thoughts spin in my head and I still can't lift my eyes to meet his gaze. God, I feel like such a fool–the greatest of all time.
I'm now at the front row and the HR, Mrs Lauren says aloud
" Mr. Steele, this is Miss Cole, the Head of the Research and Development Department"
My heart pounds so loudly I'm fairly sure he can hear it. I might just pass out. Slowly, I lift my eyes to meet his brown ones and I'm not sure what to do next.
Aaron has a welcoming smile as he stretches his hands forward, playing the role of jovial CEO perfectly and I feel the need to call him out there and then.
" Are you okay, Miss Cole?" He asks , his gaze searching my face worriedly.
" Yeah, I am," I rasp. " It's an honor to work with you Mr. Steele, " I lie. Honor my ass.
Aaron nods slightly and shakes my hand.
His smile is warm, professional–too effortless. But something about his eyes...it doesn't match. It's like we're meeting for the first time. Even I am confused. No matter how hard I – glare at him I don't see a flicker of guilt or recognition... instead he looks at me like he thinks I'm crazy. Fair enough.
Something doesn't feel right. I slip my hand out of his shake and move back into the crowd. This has to be the worst day ever.
*******
" Why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?" The meeting is over and everyone is headed to real work. After gushing over Aaron and giving me a load down of what's she found on Google, Kaitlyn has just realized I haven't been paying attention to her.
" Promise you won't shout 'the fuck'..." I say hesitantly knowing just how much of a drama queen she can be.
" Okay?" Kaitlyn stresses the syllables, her eyebrows rising.
When we get to my office , I shut the door and slump into my swivel chair, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. Kaitlyn is perched by the left side of my desk, her large eyes following me.
" Aaron is Ethan," I let my words sink and shut my eyes.
" Jesus fucking Christ! What the hell!" Kaitlyn covers her mouth immediately and makes the sign of the cross on her chest.
Tell me about it. It's not everyday you get to see the guy you fell in love with during summer who also ghosted you afterwards as your new boss at work.
I remember the countless calls I made and messages I sent only to find out I wasn't blocked but the line didn't exist again. The feeling of being played the one time I let down my guard hurt like hell and made me cringe each time it randomly popped it's ugly head into my thoughts.
I'd hurt for weeks and even ended my vacation a month earlier because everything in Mexico reminded me of him. Damn it. I hadn't even imagined I'll fall that deep in one month. Maybe it's because he made me feel things no one else did, even without sex. Maybe because he felt too good to be true–like he was perfect for me . The attraction was undeniable.
When I got back I just wanted to be alone. My phone was always on DND and I cut off social media when the couple videos and breakup songs began to dominate my FYP. And now here I am face to face with my vacation nightmare...
" I know, I know." A few seconds of silence follow and I'm left submerged in my thoughts when Kaitlyn springs from her sit.
"You need to see this Jan!" Kaitlyn turns her phone to me. My heart–